JULIUS CASESAR

JULIUS CAESAR was one of three principal plays by different authors,
pitched upon by the celebrated Earl of Halifax to be brought out in
a splendid manner by subscription, in the year 1707. The other two
were the King and No King of Fletcher, and Dryden's Maiden Queen.
There perhaps might be political reasons for this selection, as far
as regards our author. Otherwise, Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is not
equal, as a whole, to either of his other plays taken from the Roman
history. It is inferior in interest to Coriolanus, and both in
interest and power to Antony and Cleopatra. It, however, abounds in
admirable and affecting passages, and is remarkable for the profound
knowledge of character, in which Shakespeare could scarcely fail. If
there is any exception to this remark, it is in the hero of the
piece himself. We do not much admire the representation here given
of Julius Caesar, nor do we think it answers to the portrait given
of him in his Commentaries. He makes several vapouring and rather
pedantic speeches, and does nothing. Indeed, he has nothing to do.
So far, the fault of the character might be the fault of the plot.

The spirit with which the poet has entered at once into the manners
of the common people, and the jealousies and heartburnings of the
different factions, is shown in the first scene, when Flavius and
Marullus, tribunes of the people, and some citizens of Rome, appear
upon the stage.

Flavius. Thou art a cobbler, art thou?